cream-honeysuckle
Member
My 14hh heavy cob is suffering from spring grass exuberance but I cannot have him behaving like this. He is always friendly and follows me round the field, nudging and waiting for me to move the fence to give him more grass. There is no more grass for them to have now but the field is large and the grass is growing again. They also have adlib hay which they are not touching so they must have plenty of grass. Anyway, tonight he galloped full pelt across the field when he saw me arrive (doesn't do that very often) and then walked next to me (which he usually does) as I walked across to the water trough to check it. I did fling my arms about a bit as I was aware he was very close and wanted to make him give me some space but all of a sudden he jumped in the air, threw his back legs out as he ran off and one of them caught me fair and square on the shoulder. He then charged off up the hill. I am pretty sure he didn't intend to kick me (would he have registered that I wasn't walking towards the fence to move it?) There was no force behind it and I wasn't even knocked off balance - but it was really worrying - 6 inches higher and it would have been my face.... I am now proposing to carry a schooling whip with me to make him keep his distance - but has anyone got other suggestions? I have had him for 10 years and he is always full of energy (like others) at this time of the year. He is kept out 24/7 with a very sensible Connemara mare.